Short Fiction · Chapter
The Viy explained
A group of seminary students, including the philosopher Thomas Brutus, are dismissed for the summer.
What happens
A group of seminary students, including the philosopher Thomas Brutus, are dismissed for the summer. Thomas seeks lodging at a widow's house, where he is haunted by the witch who is the widow's daughter. After a terrifying night, Thomas is summoned to a distant village to pray over the body of a young lady, who is revealed to be the witch. Despite his attempts to escape, he is forced to perform the rites, and the witch's corpse torments him each night. On the third night, the witch summons the Viy, a monstrous creature whose gaze reveals Thomas's hiding place, leading to his death.
Themes in this chapter
Supernatural and Folklore
The entire chapter is steeped in Ukrainian folk horror, featuring a witch, a demonic Viy, and rituals of exorcism.
Identity and Madness
Thomas's psychological torment and the blurring of reality and nightmare as he faces the supernatural.
Characters to notice
- Thomas Brutus
The protagonist, a philosopher from the seminary who is haunted by a witch and ultimately killed by the Viy.
- The Viy
A monstrous creature with iron face and eyelids that reach the ground, summoned by the witch to find Thomas.
- The Stranger
The old witch who transforms into a beautiful young lady; she is the daughter of a rich Cossack and torments Thomas.
Key passages
“The philosopher tried to push her away with his hands, but to his astonishment he found that his arms would not bend, his legs would not move, and he could not even ring his tongue in his mouth.”
Thomas realizes he is paralyzed and cannot move or speak as the witch approaches him.
Highlights the supernatural paralysis that overcomes Thomas during his first encounter with the witch.
“The Viy! the Viy! they cried, and a heavy, clumsy, squat, bandy-legged monster came shuffling along.”
The demons summon the Viy, a monstrous creature, to find Thomas.
Climactic moment when the Viy is introduced, leading to Thomas's death.